Variety of basil plant named &#39;Wild Magic&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Wild Magic’ is a new variety of basil plant having tolerance to low temperatures, numerous flowers, and leaves with dark violet colored and prominent veins.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Ocimum basilicum.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘WILD MAGIC’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of basilplant, botanically known as Ocimum basilicum and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name ‘Wild Magic’.

The new variety was discovered and selected by the breeder in acultivated environment in July of 2009 in Wolsier, Germany (located inthe region of Brandenburg) as a naturally occurring open-pollinated newvariety in a population of unpatented and unnamed Ocimum basilicumplants. Subsequently, the new variety was asexually reproduced bycuttings in Wolsier, Germany in 2010. Further asexual reproductions atthe same location has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retainedand reproduced true to type through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe8-week-old plants grown in an open field with full sun, watered asneeded, and receiving weekly fertilization treatments accented withnitrogen in Wolsier, Germany. The plants were exposed to daytimetemperatures of 20-30° C., and evening temperatures of 10-20° C. Colorobservations were taken under natural light, and the color referencesare made to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticulture Society ofLondon, except where general color terms of ordinary significance areused.

The present invention has not been evaluated under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variation inenvironment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined tobasic characteristics of ‘Wild Magic’ which, in combination, distinguishthis basil plant as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Tall and well-branched plant habit;

2. Aromatic-spicy fragrance;

3. Condiment-like taste;

4. Tolerant to Fusarium, Botrytis, and Pythium; and

5. Low temperature tolerance.

Further, the new variety exhibits a tall and well-branched habit likebasil variety ‘Ajaka’ (U.S. plant patent applied for concurrently).However, ‘Wild Magic’ has very dark violet leaves and an aromatic-spicyfragrance, while ‘Ajaka’ has green leaves and a sweet-spicy fragrance.The following Table 1 provides a further comparative listing ofbotanical characteristics of ‘Wild Magic’ and ‘Ajaka’.

TABLE 1 Botanical characteristics ‘Wild Magic’ ‘Ajalca’ Leaf length: 6cm. 5 cm. Number of flowers About 800 About 150 per plant: Flowerlongevity: 6-8 weeks 4-6 weeks

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up photograph of the leaves of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a field of plants of the new variety;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers and leaves of the new variety;

FIG. 4 is another photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 5 is another photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 6 is another photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 7 is another photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 8 is another photograph of the flowers and leaves of the newvariety;

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a detached stem of the new variety;

FIG. 10 is a close-up photograph of the upper and lower leaf surfaces ofthe new variety; and

FIG. 11 is a photograph of detached leaves and flowers of the newvariety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: 5 days at 22° C.-   Time to produce a rooted plant: 9 days at 22° C.-   Root description: Finely branched white roots with a fibrous habit.-   Form: Rounded.-   Height from soil to top of plant: 60 cm.-   Plant diameter: 50 cm.-   Vigor: Conglobate and round with a well-branched habit.-   Main stem:    -   -   Length.—60 cm.        -   Width.—0.5 cm.        -   Color.—Purple Group RHS N77D to Violet Group RHS 83A.        -   Number of branches.—15-25.        -   Node spacing.—3-5 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Decussate; pinnate.        -   Number of leaves per plant.—Approximately 250.        -   Length.—6 cm.        -   Width.—4 cm.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Elliptic.        -   Shape of apex.—Apiculate.        -   Shape of base.—Elliptic.        -   Texture.—No pubescence present. The veins are very distinct            and visible because their color is more similar to the color            of the stem and petiole, which contrasts with the main color            of the leaf.        -   Aspect.—Horizontal.        -   Margin type.—Deep serration present.        -   Upper surface color.—Main color is Green Group 137A, with            Purple Group RHS 77A in the center extending from the veins.        -   Lower surface color.—Main color is Green Group 137A, with            Purple Group RHS 77A in the center extending from the veins.        -   Veins.—Upper surface description and color: Purple Group RHS            N77B. Lower surface description and color: Purple Group RHS            N77B.        -   Petiole.—Length: 4-6 cm. Diameter: 2 mm. Color:            Purple-Violet Group RHS N80D to Violet Group RHS 83A.            Texture: Hairy. Shape: Round.-   Reproductive organs: 1 pistil and 4 stamens present.-   Flowers:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—June through September in the            Brandenburg Region of Germany.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—Approximately 800.        -   Fragrance.—Aromatic.        -   Longevity.—6-8 weeks.        -   Flower type.—Labiate.        -   Flower height.—0.5 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—0.3 cm.        -   Petal color.—Upper surface: Purple-Violet Group RHS N80D.            Lower surface: Purple-Violet Group RHS N80D to Purple Group            RHS 77A.-   Seed description: Sterile.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistant to Fusarium oxysporum.-   Weather tolerance: Very tolerant to rain and cold nights (down to 8°    C.).-   Harvesting season: Early summer to fall outdoors; year round    indoors.-   Flavor: Aromatic-spicy.-   Aroma: Condimental.-   Essential oils: Linalool-Methyl chavicol-type.-   Productivity/yield per acre:    -   -   Fresh.—11 tons per acre.        -   Dried.—1.4 tons per acre.-   Average life span: 5 months.-   Use: Multiple uses. The new variety can be used as a pot plant,    ornamental plant, culinary herb, or fresh and dried herb.-   Fresh shelf life: Over 1 week under cool conditions (5-8° C.).

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of basil plant named ‘Wild Magic’as herein described and illustrated.